Chapter 5 Collateral

I could barely catch some sleep.

The mattress I was lying on was soft enough to get me to sleep, the silence was there, even in a mansion wrapped in marble and money, the air reeked of unease for me.

The message still haunted me.

> Do not wear white. That was hers.

Even without the name mentioned, I knew exactly who "she" was.

Juliet Moreau.

Lucian's ex-fiancée, my former friend.

My back ached as I sat up in bed. How long had Juliet been part of this world? How long had she known Lucian? Did she ever warn me when I was too naïve to notice? Or had she kept it from me, waiting for the perfect moment to strike?

I gripped the duvet tighter like it had done anything bad to me.

Was she the reason he hated me?

No, Lucian's rage wasn't personal like that. It was surgical. Controlled. And whatever happened between us, I wasn't the root.

I was just... collateral.

Elara entered my room at exactly 6:45 a.m., knocking once before stepping inside without waiting.

"The head of the Arain family will be joining the Vales for breakfast today," she announced, handing me a slate gray dress and heels. "Formal, but not excessive. Your presence has been requested."

"Requested," I repeated, like I hadn't gotten the message earlier. "That's generous."

She didn't explain further. Maybe she knew nothing other than that.

As soon as Elara left, I went straight to the bathroom, showered as quickly as possible and got dressed. I tied my hair backwards in a simple low bun with a band. I purposely wore no jewelry and makeup. I made it as a reminder to myself that I wasn't here to impress anyone. Just to survive them.

I located the dining room by following a man whom I knew was also coming for breakfast. The room had massive pillars, decorated with crystal chandeliers, and contained a long table that could seat twenty people. At the far end was a man sitting proudly. I recognized him as someone I had seen in news headlines.

Reginald Arain.

CEO of Arain Capital.

Ruthless. Sharp-eyed. He is a man who'd sued half his competitors, forcing them into bankruptcy.

He stood up just as I stepped in. He is so tall, broad-shouldered, with his wet grey hair slicked backwards. He gave a smile that didn't move his eyes as he looked at me.

"Miss Cole," he said smoothly. "So this is the girl Lucian is marrying." He asked.

I didn't know how to respond to that or who he was asking. I simply nodded and took the seat Elara indicated was mine to sit on. The one three spaces away from him. I noticed that the rest of the table was empty, save for Lucian's father, Malcolm Vale, who was sitting silently with a newspaper in hand.

Lucian entered a moment later.

His presence changed the room's atmosphere. Maybe just from my end. He was putting on a neatly tailored navy suit. His jaw lacked a single strand of hair. It was clearly shaved. His black shiny hair, perfectly styled. A man carved from discipline.

He walked to his seat, never glancing at me. He sat across the table and gently picked up his coffee with no word waiting to come out of his mouth.

Reginald, however, was the one who kept talking.

"I'll admit, I was surprised by your father's offer," he said, voice like fine-cut stone. "I didn't think the Coles would have the nerve to propose a union after what happened."

My hand froze around my fork. On hearing that.

Lucian's gaze flicked to me. Just once. Then back to his plate.

I forced my voice to stay calm. "After what happened?"

Reginald raised an eyebrow. " Oh, your father didn't tell you." he asked, acting surprised.

Lucian's jaw tightened.

I glanced toward Malcolm Vale, expecting him to interrupt or take the conversation from there, but he only turned a page in his paper. Acting like he wasn't listening to what Reginald was saying.

"What exactly did he not tell me?" I asked. Expecting an answer from Reginald. Who let a chuckle and took a sip of his coffee.

"Let's just say... your father was more involved in the destruction of Lucian's mother's legacy than anyone wants to admit," he continued.

My breath size.

I turned to Lucian, stunned. "Your mother?"

Lucian didn't answer.

Reginald leaned back on his seat, clearly enjoying himself. "Your father's company (Cole Global) was a partner in a multi-million-dollar development deal. The one that Lucian's mother had secured as a clean, legitimate investment after years of trying to separate herself from the mafia's shadow."

He paused, gaze gleaming. "But your father betrayed her. He signed off on an acquisition behind her back. A hostile one. Sold the shares to competitors who folded the project into a shell company. A week later, Lucian's mother had a stroke."

The room spun.

"No one could prove the betrayal caused it," Reginald continued. "But let's just say... the timing was poetic."

My mouth went dry.

Lucian stared at his plate like he might snap the porcelain in half.

"Lucian," I whispered. "Is that true?"

His eyes met mine, and the storm behind them finally cracked.

"Yes."

One word.

Sharp and final.

I looked down, shame curling in my chest like smoke.

"I didn't know," I said quietly. "I swear."

Lucian's eyes narrowed. "But now you do."

Reginald stood. "Lovely breakfast, Malcolm," he said casually. "You've raised a fine, cold-blooded heir. I almost feel bad for the girl."

Lucian didn't react. Malcolm nodded once.

I remained frozen.

As Reginald Arain left, I realized something with perfect clarity.

This wasn't just a marriage. It was retribution.

Everyone went their separate ways after finishing their breakfast. It was obvious that the breakfast setup was organized just for me. To know the truth and my purpose in the Vale family. That's all.

Later in the evening that same day, I took a seat in the library alone, staring at the wall and thinking about how my life was being played by my father. Who had sold off more than just my future?

He'd helped destroy someone's mother. A woman who was trying to walk away from the past.

And now Lucian, who is her son, was going to make sure I paid the price my father had incurred.

I am the daughter of the man who ruined his family.

He isn't going to take it easy on me. I must pay. In silence, in obedience, and with a lifetime of knowing exactly what I cost him.

When the door cracked open, I expected Elara. But it was Juliet.

"Hello, darling," she said smoothly. "Surprised?" Her red lips moved with a little smile that felt like nothing.

She walked in towards me, with her

designer heels clicking on the tile, causing a sound that moved with the rhythm of my heart. I felt sick immediately.

"Not really," I said. "I figured you'd show up eventually."

She smiled wider. "Lucian has exquisite taste. Even when he's angry."

"What do you want?" I asked.

"To see who replaced me," she replied, circling me like a hawk. "I thought it might hurt. But... I see now he's not even trying to replace me. He's punishing himself."

I stood. "You don't know anything about him."

Juliet arched a brow. "Don't I?"

She stretched her hand, reached out to my shoulder and brushed off a strand of hair. "He doesn't need love. He needs control. You were chosen because you won't fight back. Not enough, anyway."

I stepped back. "I won't let you get into my head."

Juliet's smile sharpened. "Oh, sweetheart. I'm already there," she said, then turned and walked out. The clicking sound her heels made echoed down the corridor.

And for the first time since I stepped into this mansion, I felt something colder than fear. The weight of a war I didn't know I'd entered.

One woman has already lost.

One man is still burning.

And I, standing between them both without a shield.

That night, I received a package outside my bedroom door.

No note.

Just a gold colored box.

Inside was a necklace. Thin. Gold and delicate.

With a single word engraved on it.

(Asset).